ALBERTA - LOCAL ARTIST SPOTLIGHT
You are a man well traveled, as your career continues to
skyrocket we expect there will be plenty more travel ahead. Tell
us about how all this began, where did your love for music ?rst
take shape?
I hope so! I’ve honestly been so busy with school these past few years to go on
the road as much as I want to, but now that I’m just about done, I will de?nitely
be doing a few shows here and there. Going to the UK and Sweden in 2014 for a
few gigs.
My passion for music de?nitely began at a young age. I still remember ripping
tape cassettes and making my own mixed tapes from albums or x-tendamix
compilations. Thought I had better taste than MC Mario or Chris Shepard. I
de?nitely loved the old 80s music I was subjected to when I was about 7 years
old, from all the Depeche Mode to Nu Shooz and more. It only grew from there.
I always had an appreciation for music since my mom was a trained singer for a
number of folklore groups and Chilean bands. I listened to a lot of 50s – 70s music
with her around. I think that’s why I can appreciate all music. Always listening to
whatever is good.
These days I have Disclosure’s new album on repeat, listening to a lot of John
Newman and some Lana Del Ray.
You have built a very well respected name for yourself, both as a
talented producer as well as a truly polished professional. What
advice would you pass on to aspiring producers who hope to
follow in your footsteps?
Thank you for the compliment! I just try to do my own thing, and focus on myself
and not everything that is going on around me. Totally like exploring innerspace
before going to outerspace kinda deal. I would pass the advice of holding on and
not letting go of your dreams, even when it seems impossible or tough. Finding
your self over and over again, and having good production habits and not falling
into production routines.
Your performance roster reads like an “who’s who” of A-list
performers, of all the great talents you’ve shared the stage
with, which performance was the most memorable and why?
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I de?nitely enjoy every show I get to be a part of, and am incredibly grateful for
the opportunities that have been presented. If I had to favourite any of them it
would de?nitely be artists who I have looked up to in the past or in the present
who appreciate their craft. Most de?nitely the Love Parade in San Francisco in
2008, it was something special, something I’ve never seen up to that point. Over
hundreds of talented locals and international DJ/producers for sure. Hmmm,
de?nitely when Axwell came to Canada for the ?rst time in Halifax, and sometimes
even the tiny venues are memorable when the energy is right and they are feeling
your vibe, I remember one being at the O Ultra in Hamilton awhile back.
You’ve been very actively producing for some time now, tell us
about your creative side, your sound and the direction you see
your music going.
I’ve been producing since late 2007, but I feel that I’ve only seriously been doing
it for the past 2-3 years. It’s always a learning curve trying to lock down your
sound design, and getting all your ideas on paper so to speak. I get most of my
in?uences from my roots in 80s nu wave and all the progressive chord-like music
in?uencing all the genres out there from all ranges. Direction wise, I think I’m
just gonna continue to make what makes me get goosebumps. I always just try
to make beats that I can personally be happy with, and not really focus too much
on what might be popular or a necessity to produce. I’m going to explore it all!
Outside of music, what passions do you pursue?
I love music more than anything without a doubt. Other passions, hmm, I
collect horror ?lms for sure and enjoy anything in that genre. When I’m not busy
with school stuff (?nishing BComm degree) you can ?nd me at horror-related
conventions for sure!
Is there anything else you would like for us to know?
Was recently nominated for the Western Canadian Music Awards against Datsik
and Excision. Currently working on remixes for the Diffused record label, and
collaborations with Will Bailey, Ron Reeser, and Mark Instinct and more.
www.djmag.ca